Executive Summary I t is indeed extremely gratifying for the National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC), to present its Annual Report, 2012 to the Honorable President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, in pursuance of the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009. The Commission has made all out efforts throughout the ye a r to ca r r y o u t i t s m a n d ate d responsibilities. This Report provides a brief account of NHRC activities during 2012, focusing on the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights along with civil and political rights. The major emphasis during 2012 was continuation of the implementation of its 5-year Strategic Plan (2010-15) through multi-dimensional programs and projects. The NHRC spent a very busy year in organizing a large number of Round Table Conferences, Seminars, Workshops and Rallies etc. with the participation of Government organizations, NGOs, Civil Society groups, students and members of the public to raise awareness, encourage them to be vocal against human rights violations and obtain appropriate remedy. While implementing its Strategic Plan, the NHRC, in collaboration with the key actors of human rights, have identified minorities and vulnerable groups and constituted group-specific committees to look into the human rights issue of each of these groups. Another remarkable feature of this year's achievement was to send specific proposals on the formulation of the Human Trafficking Deterrence and Suppression Act 2012, Pornography Control Act 2012, proposed Children Act 2012, and proposed Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2011, in conformity with International human rights standards. The Commission appreciates the State for ratifying the different human rights treaties and requests them to revisit those which have not yet been ratified. The most significant role the Commission played in the year 2012 was wide consultation on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The UPR Team of the Commission adopted a Road Map and on the basis of the Road Map, the Commission conducted a series of Consultation Meetings and Seminars with the different Stakeholders. The Annual Report of NHRC, 2012 summarizes a wide range of subjects and activities implemented by the NHRC over the last year. Chapter –I Introduction illustrates the background to the creation of the sevenmember Commission and their selection procedure. The women represented and pluralistic composition of the Commission, in conformity with the Paris Principles, reflects the demand of civil society groups and other stakeholders from home and abroad. In order to ensure the impartiality of the NHRC, the Chairman and Members of the Commission were appointed by the Honourable President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh upon recommendation by a high level Selection Committee. The committee is headed by NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT, 2012 11